Display package for elongated articles

ABSTRACT

A display package for elongated articles such as golf clubs is formed from a plurality of cut and scored blanks of paperboard or the like. These are formed to comprise a walled tray having a main panel and side and end walls extending from the main panel. A first insert is placed into the tray and is formed from a cut, scored and folded blank and is disposed in the tray adjacent one end thereof and is adapted to position upper extremities of certain of the elongated articles. A second insert is placed in the tray and is formed from a cut, scored and folded blank, and it is disposed in the tray adjacent the opposite end thereof for positioning opposite extremities of certain of the articles. An elongated tube is formed from a cut, scored and folded blank for positioning of other of the elongated articles, and structure is provided for securing the elongated tube in position and pivotally supporting the same so that the tube lies selectively within the tray or in an inclined position with respect thereto for display.

United States Patent [191 Potts et a1.

[ Jan. 22, 1974 I 1 DISPLAY PACKAGE FOR ELONGATED ARTICLES [73]Assignee: Container Corporation of America,

Chicago, Ill.

[22] Filed: June 8, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 260,988

[52] US. Cl 206/45.15, 206/45.l8, 206/65 R [51] Int. Cl 365d 5/50 [58]Field of Search 206/17, 44 R, 45.11, 45.15,

206/45.l7, 46 AM, 65 R; 211/60; 229/23 R [56] e References Cited FOREIGNPATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 700,416 12/1953 Great Britain 206/45.l8

Primary Examiner-George E. Lowrance Assistant Examiner-Steven E. LipmanAttorney, Agent, or FirmCarpenter, Ostis & Lindberg [57] ABSTRACT Adisplay package for elongated articles such as golf clubs is formed froma plurality of cut and scored blanks of paperboard or the like. Theseare formed to comprise a walled tray having a main panel and side andend walls extending from the main panel. A first insert is placed intothe tray and is formed from a cut, scored and folded blank and isdisposed in the tray adjacent one end thereof and is adapted to positionupper extremities of certain of the elongated articles. A second insertis placed in the tray and is formed from a cut, scored and folded blank,and it is disposed in the tray adjacent the opposite end thereof forpositioning opposite extremities of certain of the articles. Anelongated tube is formed from a cut, scored and folded blank forpositioning of other of the elongated articles, and structure isprovided for securing the elongated tube in position and pivotallysupporting the same so that the tube lies selectively within the tray orin an inclined position with respect thereto for display.

9 Claims, 16 Drawing Figures PATENTED JAN 2 21974 sumaorg DISPLAYPACKAGE FOR ELONGATED ARTICLES BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field ofthe Invention This invention relates generally to shipping containersfor elongated articles such as golf clubs or the like, and the structureaccording to the present invention is characterized by an elongated tubewhich is held in position in one of two positions, one of the positionsbeing where the elongated tube lies within the tray supporting thearticles, and the other being where the tube is inclined with respect tothe tray for ready accessibility and display of the elongated articlessupported in the tube.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The structure according to the presentinvention constitutes an improvement over that disclosed in theforegoing patents in that part of the articles can be supported anddisplayed from a device which is movable with respect to the mainshipping container for all of the articles.

THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an elevational view showing the shippingcontainer according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an elongated tube of the containerof FIG. 1 in a display position;

FIG. 3 is a detailed elevational view of the lower part of the containerseen in FIGS. 1 and 2 showing details of a lower insert for support ofthe elongated tube and positioning of the lower extremities of a numberof golf clubs;

FIG. 4 is a plan view looking in the direction of the arrows 44 of FIG.3;

FIG. 5 is a horizontal sectional view, to an enlarged scale, looking inthe direction of the arrows 5-5 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a vertical sectional view taken along the line 66 of FIG. 4looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 7 is an isometric view showing the lower insert and supportstructure;

FIG. 8 is a plan view of a cut and scored blank for forming thestructure seen in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a plan view of a cut and scored blank for forming theelongated tube seen in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 10 is an isometric view showing the blank of FIG. 9 in itsassembled condition;

FIG. 11 is an isometric view showing the mode of assembling theelongated tube of FIG. 10 to the support structure seen in FIG. 7;

FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken through the lower end of the elongatedtube of FIG. 10, and showing its position relative to the supportstructure of FIG. 11 when in the assembled condition;

FIG. 13 is a plan view of a cut and scored blank for providing an insertfor the upper end of the shipping container of FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 14 is an isometric view showing the structure formed from the blankof FIG. 13 in position within the tray of the structure seen in FIGS. 1and 2;

FIG. 15 is a sectional view taken along the plane 15-15 of FIG. 14looking in the direction of the arrows; and

FIG. 16 is a sectional view looking in the direction of the arrows l616of FIG. 14.

The display package according to the present invention is referred togenerally by the reference numeral 20 and comprises a tray 21 into whichis placed a first insert 22 formed from a cut, scored and folded blank22A seen in FIG. 13. Tray 21 also supports a second insert 23 formedfrom a cut, scored and folded blank 23A seen in FIG. 8. The secondinsert 23 is disposed within the tray 21 at the opposite end thereof. Athird insert 24 in the form of an elongated tube is adapted to besupported on the second insert 23, and is formed from a cut and scoredblank 24A seen in FIG. 9.

As will be shown, the display package 20 and the inserts 22, 23 and 24therein are adapted to display a plurality of elongated articles such asgolf clubs or the like, the woods being indicated by the referenceletter W and the irons being indicated by the reference letter I. Thepackage 20 is adapted to hold certain of the articles within the tray21, while certain others of the articles are adapted to be held in theelongated tube 24, the latter being capable of being positioned againstthe bottom of the tray or to be tilted as seen in FIG. 2 to a displayposition.

The tray for forming part of the display package consists of a mainpanel 26 having opposed end walls 27 and opposed vertical side walls 28extending upward therefrom. The precise manner in which the tray may beformed forms no part of the present invention. The tray may also beclosed by a suitable tray cover, not disclosed, and the details of suchcover are well known in the art.

As seen in FIGS. 1, 2 and 13, insert 22 is positioned at the upper endof the tray 21, and the same is formed from the cut and scored blank22A. The latter includes a plurality of panels 29, 31, 32 and 33, thesebeing foldably connected along fold lines 34. Panels 29 and 31 aredivided into two portions and are separated by a central tongue 36, alsofoldably connected to the fold line 34, and for a purpose as willappear.

Blank 22A also consists of a main panel 37 adapted to be glued to themain panel 26 of the tray 22, panel 33 being connected to the main panel37 along a fold line 38. As seen in FIGS. 14 and 16, panels 32 and 33are folded to define in transverse cross section a generally triangularshaped structure with the panels 29 and 31 tucked therebeneath, panel 31being folded with respect to panel 32 along fold line 34. The fold line34 connecting panels 32 and 33 are intersected by slots 35 arranged toengage therein the shafts of one or more of the elongated articles seenin FIG. 2. Panel 37 is foldably connected along a fold line 38 to thepanel 33.

Structure is provided at the upper end of tray 21 for limiting theendwise movement of the shorter of the clubs disposed within tray 21.Panel 37 is accordingly connected to panel elements which define astructure in space including a panel 39 which is coextensive with theplane of the end wall 27 and the side wall 28. Panel 39 is connected toa panel 42 along a fold line 41, and panel 42 is connected to the panel37 along a fold line 43. Panel 39 has panel elements 44 extendingtherefrom, each being foldable with respect to the top panel 39 alongfold lines 46, and tuck flaps 47 extend from panel elements 44 to foldbehind adjacent panel elements 44 to define the structure in space asdescribed.

The innermost of the panel elements 44 is connected along a fold line 45to a panel member 48 having a locking tab 49 extending therefrom andkeying with a slot 1 formed in panel 37. Panels 37 and 48 are preferablyglued to the inside of the main panel 26 to hold insert 22 in place.

Panel element 48 has foldably connected thereto panel elements 52, 53and 54, these being foldably connected along score lines 56, twoelements 52 and 53 being folded along score line 56 as seen in FIG. 14to provide a support for the hosels of the clubs W and an abutment forthe heads of certain of the irons I as seen in FIG. 2. Panel 54 hasvertical panel elements 57 and 58 foldably connected along a pair ofscore lines 59, panel 57 being foldably connected to panel 54 along foldline 61. The two panel elements 57 and 58 are folded into facingrelationship as seen in FIG. 14, and elements 57 and 58 are lockedtogether through the means of a slot in panel 62 and a locking tab 63formed in panel 58 and foldable to locking position along a score line64.

Second insert 23 is positioned in the tray 21 adjacent the opposite endthereof and is adapted to position opposite extremities of certain ofthe clubs seen in FIG. 2. Insert 23 is formed from the cut and scoredblank 23A seen in FIG. 8. Said blank is symmetrical about the centerline shown, so as to provide a pair of structures in space, each of themflanking the elongated tube 24 seen in FIGS. 1, 2 and 10.

Blank 23A seen in FIG. 8 and the structure formed therefrom as seen inFIGS. 7 and 11 includes a central support structure for the elongatedtube 24, such support structure comprising a central pivotal tongue 61which is foldably connected at spaced fold lines 62 defining a panelelement 65 to a central backing panel 63. A central front panel 66 ofthe aforesaid structure is foldably connected along spaced score lines64 against the central backing panel 63 as seen also in FIG. 11. Thearrows in FIG. 11 indicate how the second insert 23 is placed withreference to the tray 21 seen in FIGS. 1 and 2.

A plurality of panels 67, 69, 71 and 73 extend seriatim, and arefoldably connected to each other and to the central front panel 66 as byfold lines 70, 68, 72 and 74. The panels 67, 69, 71 and 73 are folded todefine a generally rectangular cross section tube flanking the frontpanel 66. A closure flap 76 is connected to the panel 73 along a foldline 77 and lies against the inner side of the side panel 67, see FIG.5.

The tubular structure comprised of the panel elements 67, 69, 71 and 73is closed at the bottom by means of a first bottom closure flap 77foldably connected to the panel 69 along a fold line 78, and a secondbottom closure flap 81 connected to panel element 73 along a fold line80. The closing of the bottom of the structure flanking the centralfront panel 63 also includes a flap 79 foldably connected to the panelelement 71 at a fold line 85. Closure of the bottom of the structure iscompleted by a tab 82 extending from the flap 77 and adapted to enter aslot 83 at the juncture of the flap 81 with the panel element 73 as seenin FIGS. 5 and 8.

The tube defined by the panel elements 67, 69, 71 and 73 is partiallyclosed at the top thereof to define a recess within the tube for thereception of some of the extreme ends of the clubs W and I as seenparticularly in FIGS. 2, 4 and 5. Panel element 69 accordingly has aflap element 91 extending therefrom and foldably connected thereto alongspaced fold lines 92.

The top of the tube comprised of the panel elements 67, 69, 71 and 73 ispartly closed to define a cavity for the reception of the lower ends ofthe clubs seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, and the rear panel portion 73accordingly has a narrow panel element 85 connected thereto, element 85being defined by a pair of spaced score lines 84 and 87 and having aflap portion 86 extending from the panel element 85. Flap 86 has a pairof narrow flaps 88 extending laterally thereof, these being foldablyconnected to the flap 86 along fold lines 89. As seen in FIG. 5, flap 86is spaced from the back panel 73, and is maintained in such spacedrelationship by narrow flaps 88 which bear against the back panel 73.

Front panel 69 is additionally stiffened by an inner panel 91 foldablewith respect to panel 69 along a pair of closely spaced score lines 92,inner stiffening panel 91 being in facing relationship with the frontpanel 69 as seen in FIG. 6.

Inner stiffening panel 91 and flap 86 thus define a cavity 93 to receivethe lower ends of the clubs see in FIGS. 1 and 2.

Referring now to FIGS. 9 to 12 inclusive, the elongated tube 24 isformed from the blank 24A seen in FIG. 9. Said blank is essentiallysymmetrical about the center line shown in FIG. 9, and includes acentral front panel 101 flanked by inclined side panel members 102 andvertical side panels 103 extending vertically to the central panel 101,these panels being foldably connected to each other and to the centralpanel 101 along score lines 105 and 107A. Tube 24 includes a pair ofbottom panels 104, each being connected to the side panel 103 along foldline 1078. A locking panel 106 is foldably connected to half bottompanel 104 along a fold line 107C, and is erected vertically with respectto the bottom panel 104 so that panels 106 are in facing and contactingrelationship.

The lower end of the tube 24 is closed by a generally trapezoidal shapedpanel 108 so as to have a sloping lower face 130, and is arranged tomove into register with the sloping side 102, and a vertical side edge111 is arranged to move into contacting relationship with the verticalside panel 103. End closing panel 108 is foldably connected to thecenter panel 101 along a fold line 112. A locking extension 113 isfoldably connected to end closing panel 108 along a fold line 114, andhas a locking slot 116 therein. Locking extension 113 is arranged tomove into locking relationship with the two half bottom panels 104, slot116 of extension 113 engaging with locking panels 106, the score line107C between the panels 104 and 106 having a locking slot 117 at eachend thereof arranged to cooperate with the slot 116 and the lockingextension 113 to close the lower end of the tube 24.

The upper end of the tube 24 is constructed substantially like the lowerend just described and has a pair of spaced apertures 123 in the lockingpanel 111 thereof,

the apertures 123 being adapted to receive the lower' ends of the twoclubs inserted into the tube 24.

Structure is provided adjacent the lower end of the tube 24 for guidingthe clubs seen in FIG. 2 and a guiding and locking tab 1 18 is definedin the side panels 104 by the cut line 120 seen therein, the tab 118being foldable with respect to the side panel 104 along a fold line 119.Each of the tabs 118 is folded perpendicularly to its correlative sidepanel 114, and has an aperture 121 therein in alignment with one of theapertures 113 in the end closure panel at the upper end of the tube 24,the apertures 121 guiding the handle portions of the clubs seen.Additionally, the tabs 118 serve to give stiffness to the tube 24.

Referring back to FIG. 7 particularly, the lower end of the tube 24 isadapted to be engaged with the tongue 61, a slot 127 therein engagingwith the locking panels 106 which are now in facing relationship. Theupper end of the tube 24 is adapted to be held by the tongue 36 in thedisplay position thereof as seen in FIG. 2, the tongue 36 having a slot128 in the distal end thereof adapted to engage with the locking panels106 which are in the aforesaid facing relationship at the upper end ofthe tube 24.

As seen in FIGS. 1 1 and 12, the lower end of the tube 24 has a certainamount of rake 130, permitting the swivelling movement of tube 24 withtongue 61 from the position thereof seen in FIG. 1, permitting the lowerend of the tube 24 when engaged with the tongue 2 61 to pivot to theposition seen in FIG. 2. The central tongue 36 of insert 22 limits theamount of such pivotal movement.

We claim:

1. A display package for elongated articles such as golf clubs or thelike comprising:

a. a walled tray having a main panel and side and end walls extendingtherefrom;

b. a first fixed insert positioned in said tray adjacent one end thereoffor securing and positioning upper extremities of certain of saidelongated articles;

c. a second fixed insert positioned in said tray adjacent the oppositeend thereof for securing and positioning opposite extremities of certainof said articles;

d. an elongated tube supported by said tray for positioning of other ofsaid articles therewithin, said tube being movable relative to saidsecond fixed insert between a first position within said tray and asecond position where said tube is disposed at an angle with respect tosaid tray for display of said other articles;

e. structure associated with said second fixed insert for securing saidelongated tube in position and pivotally supporting the same between thepositions where said tube lies within said tray and where said tube ispivoted to a position inclined with respect to said tray for display ofsaid other articles.

2. A display package according to claim 1 wherein said structurecomprises a movable part for providing pivotal movement of saidelongated tube.

3. A display package according to claim 1 wherein said second fixedinsert portions flanking said elongated tube.

4. A display package according to claim 1 wherein said first fixedinsert includes slots engageable with certain of said elongated articlesat intermediate portions thereof.

5. A display package according to claim 1 wherein said first fixedinsert includes structure integral therewith and engageable with saidelongated tube when in said inclined position.

6. A display package for elongated articles such as golf clubs or thelike, said package being formed from a plurality of cut and scoredblanks of paperboard or the like and comprising:

a. a walled tray having a main panel and side and end walls extendingtherefrom;

b. a first fixed insert formed from a cut, scored and folded blank anddisposed in said tray adjacent one end thereof for securing andpositioning upper extremities of certain of said elongated articles;

0. a second fixed insert formed from a cut, scored and folded blank anddisposed in said tray adjacent the opposite end thereof for securing andpositioning opposite extremities of said certain article;

d. an elongated tube supported by said tray and formed from a cut,scored and folded blank for positioning of other of said articlestherein, said tube being movable relative to second fixed insert betweena first position within said tray and a second position where said tubeis disposed at an angle with respect to said tray for display of saidarticles;

e. means associated with said second insert for securing said elongatedtube in position and pivotally supporting the same at positions wheresaid tube lies within said tray, and where said tube is in an inclinedposition with respect to said tray for display of said other article.

7. A display package according to claim 6 wherein said securing means isintegral with said second fixed insert and includes a pivotal memberengageable with said elongated tube.

8. A display package according to claim 6 wherein said second fixedinsert includes portions flanking said elongated tube.

9. A display package according to claim 6 wherein said first fixedinsert includes structure integral therewith and engageable with saidelongated tube when in said inclined position.

1. A display package for elongated articles such as golf clubs or thelike comprising: a. a walled tray having a main panel and side and endwalls extending therefrom; b. a first fixed insert positioned in saidtray adjacent one end thereof for securing and positioning upperextremities of certain of said elongated articles; c. a second fixedinsert positioned in said tray adjacent the opposite end thereof forsecuring and positioning opposite extremities of certain of saidarticles; d. an elongated tube supported by said tray for positioning ofother of said articles therewithin, said tube being movable relative tosaid second fixed insert between a first position within said tray and asecond position where said tube is disposed at an angle with respect tosaid tray for display of said other articles; e. structure associatedwith said second fixed insert for securing said elongated tube inposition and pivotally supporting the same between the positions wheresaid tube lies within said tray and where said tube is pivoted to aposition inclined with respect to said tray for display of said otherarticles.
 2. A display package according to claim 1 wherein saidstructure comprises a movable part for providing pivotal movement ofsaid elongated tube.
 3. A display package according to claim 1 whereinsaid second fixed insert portions flanking said elongated tube.
 4. Adisplay package according to claim 1 wherein said first fixed insertincludes slots engageable with certain of said elongated articles atintermediate portions thereof.
 5. A display package according to claim 1wherein said first fixed insert includes structure integral therewithand engageable with said elongated tube when in said inclined position.6. A display package for elongated articles such as golf clubs or thelike, said package being formed from a plurality of cut and scoredblanks of paperboard or the like and comprising: a. a walled tray havinga main panel and side and end walls extending therefrom; b. a firstfixed insert formed from a cut, scored and folded blank and disposed insaid tray adjacent one end thereof for securing and positioning upperextremities of certain of said elongated articles; c. a second fixedinsert formed from a cut, scored and folded blank and disposed in saidtray adjacent the opposite end thereof for securing and positioningopposite extremities of said certain article; d. an elongated tubesupported by said tray and formed from a cut, scored and folded blankfor positioning of other of said articles therein, said tube beingmovable relative to second fixed insert between a first position withinsaid tray and a second position where said tube is disposed at an anglewith respect to said tray for display of said articles; e. meansassociated with said second insert for securing said elongated tube inposition and pivotally supporting the same at positions where said tubelies within said tray, and where said tube is in an inclined positionwith respect to said tray for display of said other article.
 7. Adisplay package according to claim 6 wherein said securing means isintegral with said second fixed insert and includes a pivotal memberengageable with said elongated tube.
 8. A display package according toclaim 6 wherein said second fixed insert includes portions flanking saidelongated tube.
 9. A display package according to claim 6 wherein saidfirst fixed insert includes structure integral therewith and engageablewith said elongated tube when in said inclined position.